Wilderness Medicine Curricula in US Multidisciplinary Training Courses

Abstract

Introduction

Wilderness medicine (WM) is the study of medicine in austere environments. There are several US multidisciplinary courses that teach WM to people from varying medical backgrounds. However, WM topics are covered to different extents. This study's purpose was to compare WM components among US multidisciplinary training courses.

Methods

The American College of Emergency Physicians WM fellowship curriculum's 19 components and the Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine's 12 core and 16 elective competencies and their credits were used as two control lists. Curricula from 10 US multidisciplinary courses were analyzed for WM components. Using descriptive analysis, each course curriculum was compared with the controls.

Results

This study examines WM components in 10 courses. The greatest number of American College of Emergency Physicians WM fellowship topics (14 of 19) was covered by the Paramedic course and the fewest number (4 of 19) by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care–Combat Lifesaver course. The greatest number of Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine core credits (56) was offered by the Paramedic course and the fewest number (24) by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care–Medical Personnel course. The greatest number of Fellowship of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine elective credits (83) was offered by the Paramedic course and the fewest number (25) by the Tactical Combat Casualty Care–Combat Lifesaver course.

Conclusion

This research analyzed WM components in US multidisciplinary courses and demonstrated that each covers WM topics to varying extents. This shows an opportunity for these courses to expand their WM education within their scope. It also demonstrates competencies offered by different courses for interested trainees.